Is This Real or Fake Sports Jargon?

By: Robin Tyler
Image: Flashpop / DigitalVision / Getty IMages

About This Quiz

With over 800 different sports in the world, there is sure to be a lot of sports jargon flying around. Each of these sports is fairly unique and has terms that only apply to it. For some of the most popular sports, we already have a reasonably good idea regarding the jargon associated with them. Sports like soccer, American football, ice hockey, baseball and others are loved in America and the world over.


But some sports are a little more obscure with a range of jargon terms all to themselves. Sports like cricket and rugby may not be that popular in the United States but are played throughout the world. And what about other strange sports such as auto polo, banzai skydiving and extreme ironing? Yes, believe it or not, there is a sport called extreme ironing.

 
In today's quiz, you are going to have to be clued up on your sports jargon because each question will give you a term and ask you if it is real or fake. Sometimes, you may be given the sport it MAY be associated with. It's for you to decide if we are trying to pull the wool over your eyes or not. So let's see if you know if a "Fosbury Flop" is a real sports term, or if a "beezer" really is a term associated with boxing. These and many more examples await! Good luck!

In cricket, a "wide" is a delivery that the batsman cannot reach. Is this a real sports term or fake?

In cricket, if a bowler has bowled a delivery too far away from the batsman that he cannot hit it, it will be called a wide.

Real or fake sports jargon? In boxing, a boxer who delivers a one-shot punch to down the opponent is said to have delivered a "five finger discount."

A "five finger discount" has nothing to do with boxing. It is a '60s slang word for stealing something and not having to pay.

The term "tip-off" is jargon in basketball. Is this real or fake jargon?

Each basketball game starts with a tip-off that sees players compete for a ball thrown by the referee as they attempt to secure possession for their team.

Is the term "zeek" from the sport of squash real or fake jargon?

"Zeek" is certainly not a term from squash or any other sport for that matter. It is a 1980s term for someone considered to be a major geek or nerd.

In rugby, a kicker hitting the post with an attempted kick has hit "cheddar." Do you think this is fake or real rugby jargon?

"Cheddar" is the classic 1990s term for money. So although it is not a rugby term, the kicker might lose some "cheddar" when they are demoted to the bench for not kicking properly!

Would the term "slash" really be associated with the sport of surfing?

Yes, it would. A "slash" is a tight turn that surfers perform while maneuvering on the wave. It is an essential skill.

Do you think a "fram" is a legitimate scoring method in the sport of water polo?

No, in water polo, teams score a goal as the ball is passed into a net, so it's similar to soccer in that regard. A "fram" is internet slang for spam you have willingly sent to your family.

Is "schussing" a term associated with the winter sport of skiing?

Schussing is going downhill very fast in skiing, basically in a straight line. This is when most wipeouts occur!

In American Football, "bugging" means to deliver a big hit. Is this fake or real jargon associated with the sport?

While a line backer could be bugging an opponent by tackling him all the time, this term is not associated with American football. It is a '90s term for freaking out, as in "quit bugging!"

When a batsman completes a "century" in cricket, he has scored 100 individual runs. A real term from the sport or fake?

A century is when a batsman scores 100 runs in cricket. It is a brilliant achievement and not easily done. In international cricket, the batsman with the most centuries, or tons as they are called, is India's Sachin Tendulkar.

In skateboarding, a "hawkshaw" is a term for a trick devised by Tony Hawk. Real or fake?

Although that sounds plausible, it's not true. A "hawkshaw" is a 1900s term for a detective.

Can you tell if this is real or fake sports jargon? A player that plays out on the touchline in soccer is often called "grifter."

No, a player who hogs the touchline while on the offensive in soccer is normally called a "winger." A "grifter" is someone who is a con artist best left alone. The term first originated in the second decade of the 20th century.

Fake or real jargon? In ice skating, to ski on one skate is known as "props."

No, it has nothing to do with ice skating at all. In fact, it's not linked to any sport, although if someone does something special in any sport, you may give them "props" or proper dues! It's a '90s slang term.

Do you think "kata" is real or fake sports jargon?

A "kata" in karate is a type of training exercise. It can be for groups and individuals, with each kata having their own specific moves.

Do you think the term "Fosbury Flop" originated in the sport of High Jump?

The "Fosbury Flop" is a method of approaching the High Jump. It was named after Dick Fosbury who won the gold medal at the 1968 Olympics using this technique. Before, most high jump athletes used several other methods to clear the pole, including the "Western Roll." Today, the Fosbury Flop is the only way to do it if you want to compete with the best.

A "dot" in cricket is when a batsman has not managed to score a run off a specific ball. Real or fake jargon?

A dot ball in cricket is one where no runs have been scored by the batsman. In other words, they hit it straight to a fielder.

In clay pigeon shooting, a "hoosegow" is the contraption that flings the clay pigeons. Would you say this is a real or fake piece of jargon?

No, the machines that shoot clay pigeons are not called a "hoosegow" but are known as a trap. In turn of the 20th century slang, a "hoosegow" is simply a jail.

Fake or real sports jargon? In wrestling, a move where an opponent is sat on is known as a "butt me."

Although that move happens in wrestling, we are not sure what it is called, if it has a name at all. The term "butt me" is what a smoker said to another in the 1920s when they wanted a cigarette.

Is "barn burner" a term associated with ice hockey or is it fake jargon?

In ice hockey, the playing area is often called a "barn." A "barn burner" is therefore a high scoring game.

Consider the term "beezer." Is it fake or real jargon in the sport of boxing?

"Beezer" is indeed a term from boxing. But what does it mean? Well, a "beezer" is a boxer's nose, a frequent target for his opponent. If you can break your adversary's "beezer," he will have trouble breathing properly ... and be in a lot of pain!

Fake term or is it real? Contestants at a dog show get a special broth known as "dog's soup" to keep their coats shiny.

We are not sure what pooches get while contesting at a dog show. All we know is that "dog's soup" is a slang term for a glass of water in the 1930s. I'll have a "dog soup," please!

Is "paddle" a fake or real sports term?

A "paddle" is used to propel the kayak forward as well as steer. It can also be called an oar.

Do you think a "360 toe flip" in skating is a real jargon term from the sport, or is it fake?

The sport of skateboarding has produced some incredible athletes over the years. Think of Tony Hawk, for instance. These skateboarders push the boundaries, inventing new tricks often. An example of a skateboarding trick is a "360 toe flip."

A player hanging back in soccer to defend is called a "lurker." Do you think this is fake or real sports jargon?

No, in soccer, the last defender is a position known as "sweeper," and it is not very popular in the modern game at all. A "lurker" is a slang term for someone who hangs around in online communities not contributing.

Would you say that "end zone" is a real or fake term when it comes to American Football?

A touchdown is scored in the end zone, which is the area each team defends in American football.

In the sport of Lacrosse, a "moll" is the term used to describe a piece of equipment players use to catch and throw the ball. Is this real or fake sports jargon?

No, that is simply called a Lacrosse stick. A "moll," on the other hand, is the term given to the girlfriend of a gangster in the 1920s and 1930s.

Fake or real sports jargon? A "nutmeg" is a term associated with soccer.

When a player performs a "nutmeg" in soccer, he has cleverly kicked the ball through the open legs of his opponent, run past him and gathered the ball again. To be nutmegged is the ultimate humiliation on a soccer pitch.

Would the term "loop" be real sports jargon or fake when associated with the sport of aerobatics?

The sport of aerobatics sees pilots performing a series of maneuvers for which they are scored according to difficulty level, efficiency and other criteria. One of these maneuvers, a "loop" sees the pilot pull up and continue to pull back on this flight stick until the aircraft has completed a full circle.

Is the term "carom" often associated with billiards a real term or fake?

In billiards, a carom is when the cue ball is struck by the player and then hits two other balls.

The half-time drink given to NBA players to get their energy up is often called "giggle juice." Do you think that is fake or real?

No, they probably drink Gatorade or something similar. "Giggle Juice" was the term given to alcohol in the 1920s. What a laugh!

In snooker, a "scrub" is when a player sinks the cue ball unintentionally. Would you say that is real or fake sports jargon?

Sinking the cue ball in snooker is just bad luck; that's the best term to associate to it. A "scrub," however, is slang from 20 years ago to describe a person considered to be a loser.

Is knock-out a real or fake sports term most associated with boxing?

A knock-out in boxing sees the boxer hit his opponent, sending him to the canvas and securing the win.

In cricket, if a batsman has hit the ball over the boundary without a bounce, he has scored a "goop." Is this a real cricket term or is it fake?

No, if a batsman hits a ball over the boundary in cricket, he has hit a "six." A "goop" is a slang term from the 1900s meaning a stupid person.

In tennis, players often "dink" the ball. Is that real or fake sports jargon?

A dink is a very soft shot, usually played with the intention of just getting the ball over the net, making it difficult for your opponent standing back on the baseline to reach.

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